ELaiolithos Luxury Retreat: a mountain retreat that blends hospitality with sustainability
With its privileged location, ELaiolithos Luxury Retreat allows you to spend your days marveling at the panoramic vista that stretches out on all sides. The quiet melody of birdsong punctuates the atmosphere on the terrace while tree-scattered hillsides sweep past staggering mountains. The building’s natural stonework and whitewashed walls blend harmoniously with the surrounding environment. Inside, the design incorporates modern touches with colors and textures inspired by the island’s landscape.
Named after a stone used to grind olives, ELaiolithos Luxury Retreat is a half-eco-friendly boutique hotel, a half-family home run by Helen, a natural-born host who is truly in love with the island’s landscape and produce. Every detail has been carefully curated to reflect her commitment to preserving Naxos. Feast on locally sourced food, venture out for a roam in the hills and let yourself be lulled into slumber by the hushed immensity of the mountains – each moment bringing you more into step with nature’s rhythms.
A family owned and excellent establishment. To say this place and their owner Helena, her staff, her family and friends saved my life would be an understatement (dramatically). Helena went above and beyond - picking me up from the city center at the last minute when my transportation method didn’t work out💞 only love and gratitude for these people, and this island. I could not recommend Elaiolithos more. Sustainability is key, this establishment is an example of how the whole world should be running their businesses. Don’t miss this chance, even if it is just to have a snack, look at the view, buy some local delicacies or to meet the family.
I had the pleasure of staying at Elaiolithos for five nights. From the moment I arrived,I was in awe of the breathtaking views. The Emery Suite where I stayed felt like a luxurious art museum, and each day I would discover a new treasure. Helen, the owner, is also the chef at this hotel. Every morsel of food I consumed here tasted both incredibly fresh and delicious. Each night ended sitting under a black sky with glittering stars. If you’re looking for a place that will make your soul happy, this is definitely the hotel for you.
I found this place by some sort of mystical accident. It's a real gem. This is a sustainable hotel retreat, built inch by inch with absolute love and care by the owner, Helen. Her brother makes the cheese and butter - as they say, they know the hen who lays the eggs. She is also a wonderful chef. The food was delicious. I stayed just the one night and wished it could have been longer, but I was on a road trip around the island, chasing sunsets and sunrises and constellations.As well as this being a lovely place to relax, swim, read and eat, the information on the neighbouring villages of Naxos is so well thought out and helpful.The food is very local (like, meters away) and everything is very consciously considered, in beautiful little touches. I had the tastiest eggs of my whole life.As well as this, the drive there is gorgeous. But if you need to get a taxi rather than rent a car, that's also an option. At cooler times, there are hiking trails to attempt!For any travellers looking for a place away from the madding crowd, or the usual tourist spots, something more authentic, and yes, more luxurious, this is a little jewel in the crown of the mountains. It's adults only, to ensure a peaceful environment for all. An ideal spot for any kind of retreat, which attracts astronomers and writers and wanderers. I can't wait to return.
A highlight of my and my daughter's Greece trip! My daughter really wanted to take a cooking class while in Greece so we searched online for all the places we were in (Athens/Santorini/Naxos) and we were drawn to the class offered at ELaiolithos because it looked so healthy with fresh ingredients and a gorgeous location.We figured it would be a typical cooking class - walk in, make the recipe, eat, leave...but no, this was an experience! We got there and hung out at a table drinking a smoothie (my daughter) and coffee (me) while we relaxed and looked at the stunning view. Then we learned how to make two dishes (Helen had given us options when we booked so we chose what to make) - an eggplant dip and stuffed eggplants/stuffed tomatoes. I cannot even describe how delicious both dishes were - I mean, just UNBELIEVABLY good. We got a lot of cooking instruction and when it was time to eat they brought us delicious bread to eat with our meal. We left stuffed and very happy.Also, Helen and her staff are just lovely. Friendly, helpful...we got to chat with Helen (the owner) and loved hearing about how she started the hotel. Helen - we wish you all the success in the world!So, it was a day of relaxing at a gorgeous hotel with a beautiful view, learning how to make delicious authentic Greek dishes, chatting with the sweetest people, and we got a recipe book to top it off. Loved it!!
My husband and I had the sweetest time staying at Elaiolithos! Helen was an incredible host, from her recommendations to her cooking. After one conversation with Helen, I totally threw out my itinerary and took all of her suggestions which were all amazing. My Naxos trip would have looked completely different (for the worse) if I hadn't stayed at Elaiolithos. The hotel is in the mountains which required a rental car, but honestly staying in town also would have required a car to see the best parts of Naxos. We visited the cutest villages, lounged on the best beaches, and ate the most delicious food thanks to Helen's local expertise! One of my favorite memories will be waking up to mountain goats and church bells, eating farm-to-table breakfast every day. Elaiolithos is a peaceful sanctuary and I cannot recommend staying here enough!
I had the privilege of staying at ELaiolithos in 2019. Hoping to go back soon.Hope you are well Helen.I logged on to see your beautiful hotel and was shocked to see even one negative review. How awful people can be to affect a business such as yours. The woman who left the negative review - who didn't stay at the hotel and obviously has an entitlement issue, needs to retract her review and keep her dog at home. A lot of people don't like eating with dogs. You don't affect someone's livelihood because your dog was refused entry.
How do I begin to express my surprise of such a lovely experience staying at this hotel The “ELaiolithiz” not only are the rooms tastefully decorated in a whimsical manner, but very comfortable and plenty of room. The food and service was on another level all thanks to the meticulous detail the owner, Helen, ( hands on) goes out of her way to make every guest feel welcome, at home and actually sits with you and truly with all her Sharm wants to know about you and who you are. I highly recommend staying here. Till next trip, looking forward staying at ELaiolithos again.
This hotel is amazing. I would highly recommend anyone to stay here. Nested in the quiet mountain town of Moni, ELaiolithos is truly a luxury retreat. The grounds of the hotel itself are beautiful and the view looking out at the mountains took my breath away. The food and drinks at the restaurant were delicious--a fresh-cooked breakfast greeted us every morning. Helen, Pamela, and the rest of the staff were extremely welcoming and friendly. Also, the aren't too many rooms, so the space never felt crowded. The adults-only aspect was also a nice touch and helped contribute to the overall serenity.
My wife and I spent 3 days of our honeymoon at ELaiolithos and had a fabulous time.Helen and her family are from this area of Naxos so she knows the area and local farmers very well. As a guest this means that you get the best possible food and recommendations for where to go and what to see.A couple notes:1) The food is incredible - I'm still dreaming of the amazing breakfast provided each day. Standouts for us were the local cheeses and amazing tomatoes. The rest of our trip through Greece we could never find food as fresh and delicious.2) Waking up to the phenomenal view each day was wonderful and calming. Pictures do not do it justice3) The location was really nice - it's easy to get anywhere on the islands including beautiful beaches if you have some kind of transportation (would recommend you rent a car or ATV). Helen helped us make the most of our days by exploring what the island has to offer. Also it is great to be on a part of the island with so much greenery and local agriculture.4) Rooms are gorgeous and come equipped with everything you need for your stay. It was so nice to be able to do laundry in our room during a longer trip. The property was also beautiful and very well constructed. You can tell how much time and effort was put into building this hotel/resort to ensure every detail was looked after and it is kept immaculately clean.Lastly, what really made the trip was Helen and her wonderful staff. I have never been hosted by someone who so genuinely wanted to make sure I had the best experience possible. This stop was definitely a highlight of our vacation that we will not forget.
I take into account that it may sound unbelievable but I hope for your sake that you will believe me.We stayed 2 nights at Helena's place and then extended our stay for another night, because we couldn't leave this amazing place.the room is accurate to every detail, decorated with unique style.the whole place is extraordinary , the view is amazing, the surrounding villages are dreamy and that it is not just the most amazing thing here. The most amazing thing is the hospitality we received from the owner of the place.I'm afraid to develop expectations but we received ten star hospitality, with amazing surprises in the form of a yoga class, a massage, an amazing dinner and much more.All the food here is locally produced from the surrounding villages, everything is fresh, delicious.I know it sounds like an invited criticism but it's not, really not. We just feel in the sky.Highly recommended.
This amazing hotel has stunning views, Helen the owner treats you like family. The service, food and location are above anything you have experienced. To add to this the hotel is environmentally sustainable all around and all their food is farm to table. We loved loved our Stay!
The Hudson Valley of Naxos!We had the best time at ELaiolithos. Helen, the owner, is a magnificent host. The food was incredible. Fresh, local and delicious. Helen had great recommendations for hikes and showed us a local side of the island we never would have experienced otherwise.Helen is an amazing chef. The meals at ELaiolithos were standouts on our trip.The mountains of Naxos is a dream location you have to experience for yourself. It is a world away from the cruise ship crowd. Rent a car and it is a great base for exploring Naxos. Or use it as a base for hikes around the different villages.This is the perfect place for travelers, maybe not for tourists.Pro tip: ask for ‘local wine’. You will enjoy.In the US we describe local food as anything that is within 75miles. In Naxos when you are at a restaurant if you climb to the highest tree you can see the fields where all of the ingredients came from.
We spent three wonderful nights here as part of our honeymoon and loved everything about it. Naxos is a treasure, and staying at ELaiolithos is the best way to experience the island. Wonderful hikes, beautiful vistas, charming villages, and the remarkable Helen. Hotel owner and hostess extraordinaire, she was dedicated to making our stay memorable. Lots of local flavor and flair, this is a unique experience - don’t miss it!
ELaiolithos is one of the most unique and magical places I have ever stayed. Stunningly beautiful and peaceful, exceptional food, and amazing hospitality. The owner Helen knows everything about the region and gave us personalized tips to discover the most picturesque towns and gorgeous beaches. This is truly a special place, where you can get away from the crowds and discover the heart of Naxos. There are travelers who want to truly experience a place and there are vacationers who want to relax. If you are looking for both, go here.
It is so hard to write a review that fully captures the magic of this place! We will be dreaming about sitting on the patio, watching a sunset over the stunning Naxos scenery, and sipping one of Helen's amazing local cocktails until we can find our way back. We had trouble motivating ourselves to eat anywhere else on the island because Helen's food is simply unrivaled -- everything is fresh, local, cooked to perfection, and usually comes with a story! Just a few examples: the cheese (the best we've ever had) comes from Helen's brother's goats, who parade past the resort every evening; you can see the olive trees that the olives in your Greek salad came from; we met the farmer who brought freshly picked cherries to our breakfast table. You can literally point at anything on your plate, and Helen will tell you where it came from and who made it -- if you don't think that matters, just wait until you taste the difference :)Before booking, I was worried the location would be a bit too remote, but it ended up being the perfect base for exploring all of Naxos, and I am so glad we didn't limit ourselves to staying near the port like most tourists. It was actually very close to many of the places we wanted to see (Mount Zas trail, Halki, etc.). Plus, you can reach the most famous beaches or the port town in about 20 minutes. The drive is easy and GORGEOUS.Three pieces of advice for future guests: (1) Book a cooking class with Helen so that you can take one of her amazing recipes home with you! Her new kitchen for the classes is world-class, you'll work with beautiful, local ingredients, and you'll get the cutest videos/photos from your experience. (2) Book a massage under the stars and enjoy the chorus of goat bells in the background. It sounds crazy, but it really is the most relaxing sound. (3) Throw out the itinerary you planned before coming and just ask Helen what you should do that day. She'll send you to all the best spots, including off-the-beaten-path recommendations where you will be the only tourists around.From the moment you walk in until you drive away, you will be treated like family by Helen and her amazing staff. This place is an experience, not just a place to stay. Every moment here was special and will be treasured for years to come.Helen, watch out because I am sending my parents to stay with you soon!
Boutique Hotel
5 Rooms
What we liked the most
Waking up to a breathtaking sunrise climbing over the mountainside
Sampling velvety local sheep and goat milk cheeses and wines
Gazing at the infinite night sky, replete with millions of stars
Amazing central location to explore the island easily while staying away from the crowds
Trusting Helen to organize a boat trip around the island.
Rooms Overview
In each of the suites at ELaiolithos Luxury Retreat, the focus is on blending tradition with modern luxury. The individual designs reflect the feel of the island, from its customs and traditions to its magnificent landscapes. Each suite has its own kitchen, bedroom, en-suite and living area as well as access to the terrace.
Ariadne & Dionysus
2 guestsKitchenetteView into the mountainsView into the sea
Named after an Ancient Greek love story, this suite is designed with romance in mind. From the hand-painted and handmade local artefacts to the magnificent king-size bed, the atmosphere suggests a cosy mountain retreat. Modernity enters the space via the glass-walled bathroom with touches of terra cotta, allowing you to take in the hillside view from the shower.
Fanari
3 guestsOne-bedroom suiteView into the mountainsView into the sea
The Fanari suite has been designed to reflect the mountain that gives it its name. Glowing in shades of olive green, the decor incorporates reclaimed wood and natural stone. You can enjoy breakfast on the spacious terrace and relax on one of the loungers under the Greek sunshine. With an extra single bed, this room is perfect for couples or small families
Emery
5 guestsKitchenetteTwo-bedroom suiteView into the mountainsView into the sea
Named after a mineral found in the surrounding mountains, the colour palate of this spacious suite showcases earthy tones and natural textures. Featuring two stylish bedrooms and two bathrooms with stunning contemporary interiors, it is ideal for groups or families. You are just a few steps away from the majestic mountain view visible from the suite’s terrace – the ideal spot to watch the sunset with a cocktail.
Zas
2 guestsKitchenetteOne-bedroom suiteView into the mountainsView into the sea
The ‘Zas’ or ‘Zeus’ suite reflects all the royalty and grace of the king of the gods. From the majestic rainfall shower flanked by grey stone walls to the king-size bed with its magnificent white headboard, this suite exemplifies the harmonious combination of tradition and modernity. Step from the cosy indoor living room to the rustic terrace, where you can lounge in total tranquility and observe the redemptive mountain view
Oraia ELeni
4 guestsBalconyEquipped kitchenPrivate terraceTwo-bedroom suiteView into the mountainsView into the sea
Indulge in the enchantment of Oraia ELeni luxury suite, where the allure of Helen of Troy comes alive. Step into the realm of Greek culture and immerse yourself in the legendary beauty that inspired nations. Experience the captivating ambiance of the Mycenaean age with its timeless charm. This 105 m² (1130 ft²) suite features two spacious bedrooms, including a supersized King bed and two single beds, creating a haven for up to four guests. Two exquisite bathrooms, complete with bathtubs and rain shower/baths, offer a sanctuary for relaxation.
Awaken your senses on the private balcony, embracing the essence of this mythic escape.
Services and facilities
Countryside
Eco-friendly
Heritage
Mountain
Air conditioning
Bar
Concierge
Dining on demand
Family rooms
Garden
Laundry Service
Non smoking rooms
Parking
Pool
Restaurant
Soundproofing
Terrace
Wi-Fi
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Taste the flavors
Field to Fork
Guests can savour every meal of the day at the table d’hôte where the cuisine is deeply rooted in the local land. With a commitment to sourcing ingredients only from within a 6-kilometre radius, you can guarantee the dishes served at ELaiolithos are authentic, unique and nutritious. The rich and abundant island provides produce to cater to all dietary requirements and the dish of the day is always a surprise. From homemade pita bread baked daily to sumptuous sheep and goat milk cheeses from grass-fed local flocks, this is a fabulous opportunity to truly experience the bounty of Naxos.
Breakfast
Served to your room, the hotel’s traditional Greek breakfast comprises all the classics: yoghurt, fresh bread and cakes as well as local honey, home-made jam and olive oil from the ELaiolithos grove. There is nothing quite like indulging in this morning feast while seated on the terrace facing the sweeping mountain panorama.
About sustainability
Olive
Olive Tree is often a symbol of success, as sustainability seems embedded in the property’s identity and DNA.
At ELaiolithos Luxury Retreat sustainability comes along with luxuryto offera seamless high-end eco-friendly experience.Helenimagined her hotel’s to be sustainable all across the line:
It starts with the Greek-inspired design that was realized with bioclimatic and local materials.
The boutique hotel runs on an eco-friendly philosophy be it green cleaning agents, water and energy-saving mechanisms and eco-friendly in-room amenities.
Local artisans are part of the hotel’s experience with the art pieces designing the interior, the gastronomic products used for the delicious meals
Explore the location
Located 500m up, ELaiolithos Luxury Retreat benefits from a privileged position above the Drimalia valley with a direct view onto Zeus mountain and, a little further away, the glittering Aegean Sea. Nearby are the villages of Chalkio and Moni, perfect places to discover some of the Naxian charms. The Cycladic island of Naxos is famed for its stunning beaches and exceptional gastronomic tradition. From picturesque towns to out-of-this-world landscapes, there’s so much to explore. The airport of Naxos is located 11km away.
Book a trusted local driver for your transfer to and from the hotel, and introduce you to the destination, pre-order travel essentials, and get all your questions answered before or during the trip. Choose the stops, visit the attractions, and don't waste any time waiting. We‘ve partnered with Welcome Pickups, the first company to deliver a holistic, in-destination travel experience.